The five lighting spec mistakes we see every week
CRI, CCT, beam angles and the one driver detail that quietly ruins a third of all hospitality installations.
1. Specifying CCT without CRI
3000K is a temperature, not a quality. A 3000K fixture at CRI 80 makes a beautiful walnut floor look grey. Always specify CRI ≥ 95 for any material-critical zone.
2. Forgetting beam angle on accent lights
A 36° beam on a 4m ceiling washes a wall. A 10° beam picks out an artwork. They cost the same. Spec the right one.
3. Mixing driver brands
One project, one driver family. Mixed drivers = mixed dimming curves = flicker at 20%. The client always notices. Always.
4. Ignoring glare cut-off
Anything below 30° UGR in a hospitality lounge is a complaint waiting to happen. Deep baffles, honeycomb louvres, or recessed pinholes.
5. Under-spec'd drivers
A 90W fixture on a 100W driver runs hot and dies in 18 months. Spec drivers at 120% of fixture load, minimum.
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